Because Australia is a federation, public holiday schedules vary across its states and territories.
Detailed holiday calendars are available for major states (click below to visit each region's specific calendar page).

Overview of Australian Public Holidays

While specific schedules are detailed on individual regional pages, an overview of public holidays in Australia is outlined below:

  1. Nationwide Public Holidays
    The following holidays are observed on the same date throughout Australia.
    (Minor variations may occur between states regarding substitute holidays when a public holiday falls on a weekend.)
    • New Year's Day (January 1)
    • Australia Day (January 26)
    • Good Friday (Observed according to the Christian liturgical calendar)
    • Easter Monday (Observed according to the Christian liturgical calendar)
    • Anzac Day (April 25)
    • Christmas Day (December 25)
    • Boxing Day (December 26)
  2. Holidays Observed Nationwide on Varying Dates
    The following two holidays are observed nationwide, but their exact dates vary by state or territory.
    • King's Birthday (Official celebration of the British monarch's birthday, designated by law regardless of the monarch's actual date of birth)
      Second Monday in June (ACT, NSW, VIC, NT, SA, TAS)
      Last Monday in September (WA)
      First Monday in October (QLD)
    • Labor Day (Eight Hours Day)
      Second Monday in March (VIC, WA, TAS - observed as Eight Hours Day)
      First Monday in May (QLD, NT)
      First Monday in October (ACT, NSW, SA)
  3. State and Territorial Holidays
    In addition to national holidays, individual state and territory governments designate region-specific holidays.
    (Examples)
    • Canberra Day (ACT) Second Monday in March
    • Reconciliation Day (ACT) First Monday on or after May 27
    • Melbourne Cup Day (VIC) First Tuesday in November
    • Friday before the AFL Grand Final (VIC) Friday before the AFL Grand Final
    • Royal Queensland Show / Ekka Wednesday (QLD - Brisbane area only) Wednesday of the week in which August 10 falls

  among others.

For detailed regional schedules, please refer to the specific state and territory pages linked above.